Philip Starck, Angela Missoni, Matheo Thun, Karim Rashid, Michele De Lucchi, Mario Botta, Pininfarina, Enzo Mari and Aldo Cibic - these a just some of the designers and architects that joined the “Le Briccole Di Venezia” project. An initiative of the third generation Italian furniture producer Riva Industrial Mobili S.p.A., last year owners Maurizio and Davide Riva decided to commission the industry's top names for their latest R1920 Collection. The idea behind R1920 was to create a series of new products by re-using the legendary oak posts used by Venetian gondoliers to moor their vessels. Seeped in history, character and new and inventive modes of material application, jump ahead for a look at the stunning designs.

A limited edition collection of tables, chairs, stools, bookshelves, lamps, wood-carved art and even a hammock, each piece was created to highlight the the culminating aesthetic of decades of Italian design and both the rough nature and incredible detail of the marine ravaged wood. The beauty of the material lies in the erosion created by the Venezian water, the gondoliers movements, molluscs, water rats, seagulls, tourists and time.

The R1920 Collection was exhibited at last year’s Milano Salone del Mobile and this summer will again be toured around Europe. The company is also holding a design contest, in collaboration with the Venice Foundation and ExpoVenice, for graduates and students to design a bench/outdoor seat with the same material. The closing date is end of May so if you have an idea on how to give old Venezian posts a new extraordinary life, then enter it today!